News

In debunking the misconception that mission-aligned investing lowers expected returns, the paper emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for investors.

In November 2018 the Fund's board of trustees approved a new strategy to support movement building for systemic reform of democratic institutions to advance economic and racial justice.

A June 2018 review of the Peacebuilding program examined the program’s evolution and reflected on key takeaways from its grantmaking between 2011–2018.

An evaluation of the RBF's grantmaking work in the global Democratic Practice portfolio 2010 to 2015 found that it was successful in its primary goal of strengthening the vitality of democracy in global governance. Program director Thomas Kruse's memo reflects on the evaluation and outlines the continuing strategies of the portfolio.

Earlier this year, the Center for Effective Philanthropy surveyed the RBF’s grantees and applicants to gain insight into their perception of the Fund’s performance. This process allows core constituencies the opportunity to provide us with feedback on our work and we are committed to responding to their suggestions.

The story behind the evolution of the Fund’s Mission-Aligned and Impact Investment strategies is the subject of a case study by The ImPact. The study offers actionable insights that families and organizations can use to align their investments with their values.

After five years of grantmaking in the Western Balkans, midway to the 10-year timeframe established for the program in 2010, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund commissioned an independent assessment to evaluate impact, such as progress made in Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, against the goals and indicators of the program framework.

A recent report by Princeton University’s Innovations for Successful Societies highlights the collaboration among civil society leaders to make necessary changes to Kosovo’s judicial processes during its nascent independence.

AKA|Strategy and NEXT: Transition Advisors conducted a review of the Culpeper Arts and Culture Grants from 2003 to 2013. The review of grantmaking is intended to provide an understanding of the Fund’s place in the field, the evolution of the program, the strengths and weaknesses its strategies and grantmaking, an assessment of the contributions of Fund's grantees to progress in the field, and possible approaches going forward. 

In 2013, staff initiated a project to assess the outcomes and impact of program-related conferences held at the Fund’s Pocantico Center during the period 1994–2012. Pocantico hosted a total of 1,015 conference, retreats, or meetings in those 18 years.